Great Food, Awesome People

I am not a food critic, nor have I been to every restaurant that competes with this one, but I can say that the food I ate there was phenomenal and the service was even better. Hidden on Thomas Drive next to where Ruthy T’s used to be is arguably Panama City Beach’s most delicious Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria.

Red Rose Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria has been around for several years, but the new owners have only been here since February. Fred and May moved to the area with their daughters Sidney and Ella to be close to the water and get away from the big city life of Cincinnati, Ohio. When they purchased the restaurant, they added JEMS to the end and made it home. I won’t tell you the meaning behind JEMS, you’ll have to ask them the story.

What started this all was a quick lunch there of Friday. I had been to Red Rose in the past, but a buddy suggested this as a good place to have a quick meeting. Being a sucker for a good Calzone, I asked Sidney to prepare mine like she would her own. It was absolutely delectable. The texture of the bread was just right. The ingredient/bread ratio was perfect. Everything was not too dry, but not too moist and the sauce that came on the side had the right amount of tang and seasoning.

The Calzone that was prepared for me had ricotta cheese, blend cheese, hot sausage, peperoni, roasted peppers, onions and mushrooms. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Also on the menu is everything you’d expect at an Italian restaurant from specialty pizzas to stromboli to spaghetti and meatballs. Everything is made fresh from scratch from fresh ingredients, they even grown their own herbs. If you’ve not eaten at Red Rose, I highly recomend it.

Again, they are next to where Ruthy T’s (Wahoo’s now) used to be on Thomas Drive right down from Joan Avenue. If you are going east from Joan, it is just past Moby Dick’s T-shirt shop.

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4 Comments

Congratulations Fred, May, Sydney and Ella on the success you are having with Red Rose Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria.
My wife Jane and I live in Cincinnati and enjoy visiting PCB to stay in our condo units. We will definitely stop in to your restaurant for lunch or dinner on our next trip to PCB.
In the interim, we will tell Buddy Laroza that you said hello. We live in Blue Ash and are happy to hear that more people from Greater Cincinnati and Northern KY are discovering and enjoying life in PCB.
Best wishes for continued success.
Dave
ps: Go Bearcats, Muskies, Redhawks and Wildcats !!!

Definately a great place to eat! You have got to try her guacomole! I am and never have been a guacomole fan, but hers is to die for!
It took us a while to decide what to eat as they have so many choices. There is something for everyone and everything our party had was outstanding!

Fred, Good seeing you last month. I just got on your sight and checked the menu. I am impressed! It all looks good and from what I have heard, it is! Need to get up there and see you all. Keep on the look out for a good festival around you so I can mix business with pleasure. Mae, Sidney, Ella, Rico hope you guys are doin’ well and keeping Fred in line. Congrats, Rubz

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